The Duke Rough Munich Dry Gin

The Duke distillery has been a fixture of the German gin scene since it opened, and Rough is its deliberately minimalist statement: the Munich Dry recipe stripped to essentials, with fewer botanicals and no floral softness to round the edges. Organically grown ingredients go into small copper-still batches, the focus held tight on juniper, coriander and a thread of citrus rather than any decorative flourish.

The nose is juniper-accented and fresh, spicy coriander rising with a hint of lemon. The palate is dry and intense, that pine-forward juniper carrying pepper and a subtle citrus freshness, while the finish stays clear, firm and properly tart. This is a gin for purists who want the backbone to show. Pour it into a classic G&T with a dry tonic, or push the spice with rosemary and a wedge of grapefruit.